| In the very near future, green design will be the | | | | ways to produce better products without |
| standard by which houses are built, finished and | | | | sacrificing price and quality yet remain mindful of |
| decorated, not some tree-hugger trend. Here is | | | | the long term effects those products have on |
| your alpha to omega reference for going green. | | | | the environment. |
| A is for Antique. Nothing says reduce, reuse, | | | | N is for Natural Cork. Cork is the dead bark of |
| recycle like antiques. | | | | the cork oak tree found in the Mediterranean. |
| B is for Balance. Tending to the needs of the | | | | Because cork regenerates within 10 years it is |
| environment can sometimes impact the growth | | | | considered a rapidly renewable resource. It is a |
| of an economy. As the pendulum swings, the | | | | wonderful choice for flooring - durable, warm |
| balance will eventually be achieved and buying | | | | under foot, and available in many patterns and |
| products from manufacturers with an | | | | colours. |
| environmental conscience will be common place. | | | | O is for Organic Gardening. No pesticides, no |
| C is for Certified wood. Wood certified by a | | | | herbicides. A holistic approach where mulch, |
| third-party which has been grown and harvested | | | | manure and compost are used to develop rich |
| in an environmentally responsible manner. Certified | | | | soils, manage pests and support healthy plant |
| wood is available in flooring, cabinetry and furniture | | | | growth. |
| products. | | | | P is for Post-Consumer Products. These are |
| D is for Durable. By increasing the product life | | | | products that utilize discarded materials, usually |
| time we increase its usability and keep it out of | | | | gathered from municipal recycling depots, and are |
| the landfill. The problem most of us experience is | | | | reprocessed into usable items. |
| we get tired of products long before they wear | | | | Q is for Questions. When you are buying products |
| out. | | | | for your home, from paper towels to furniture to |
| E is for Energy consumption. Since we cannot hold | | | | flooring, ask about the environmental practices of |
| fuel or electricity in our hands it is difficult to | | | | the manufacturer. Ask how it was made, what |
| comprehend how products can save energy, until | | | | materials were used, is it recyclable in any way, |
| you look at your energy bill. My old washer used | | | | am I going to regret buying this? |
| 60 l of water per cycle (Gasp!); my new washer | | | | R is for Rapidly Renewable Resources. These are |
| uses only 19 l of water and far less detergent. | | | | products that regenerate quicker than the |
| F is for Formaldehyde. This chemical, colourless | | | | demand for the product, for example, cork, |
| yet pungent, is found in more products than you | | | | bamboo, straw and sorghum fall in this category. |
| would think imaginable - plywood, particle board | | | | New uses for these materials are being |
| and other pressed wood products which are used | | | | discovered every day! |
| to make furniture, cabinets, wall paneling, shelves | | | | S is for Salvage. When taking on a renovation, |
| and counter tops. It is also found in dyes, textiles, | | | | salvage and re-use what you can from the |
| plastics, paper products and cosmetics. Exposure | | | | project. Have a look at your local "ReStore", a |
| can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions | | | | non-profit store operated by Habitat for Humanity |
| and cancer in humans. | | | | full of salvage items like lighting, handles and |
| G is for Generation. Waste generation and the | | | | knobs, new and used doors and windows, and |
| next generation go hand in hand. The decisions we | | | | much more. Check out architectural salvage |
| make about the former impacts the latter. We | | | | stores, too. |
| need to start making conscious choices about | | | | T is for Treated. Many of the products we buy, |
| what we are leaving behind for others to deal | | | | especially those mass produced, have been |
| with. | | | | treated with some chemical or other to promote |
| H is for Hemp. Hemp is a sustainable plant that | | | | colour fastness, durability, or preservation. Read |
| can be transformed into house hold goods like | | | | labels - know what you are getting. Untreated |
| bedding, drapes and cushions, as well as clothing, | | | | natural fibres like cotton, linen and hemp are |
| footwear, shelter, food, tree-free paper, sealants, | | | | readily available. |
| composites, and so much more. And it is | | | | U is for Use Canvas Shopping Bags. This new |
| biodegradable. | | | | must-have fashion accessory is a real indicator |
| I is for Infill. This building practice is the | | | | that going green is chic and en vogue. |
| development of empty or underutilized lots in | | | | V is for VOC's. Volatile organic compounds are |
| cities and older suburban areas instead of building | | | | everywhere. In carpets, furnishings, paint, |
| on undeveloped land, like farms and woodlands. | | | | solvents... Excessive exposure to VOC's can cause |
| It's another step towards containing urban sprawl. | | | | short-term nausea, eye irritation and headaches. V |
| J is for Jute. This highly versatile and abundantly | | | | is also for Ventilate. |
| available fibre has been woven into bags, purses, | | | | W is for Wildlife. The list of critically endangered |
| rugs, trays, and other house wares. Made from | | | | species is growing everyday - elephants, tigers, |
| the skin of the hardy chorchorus genus plants, it | | | | pandas, giant apes, marine turtles. Pretty soon, |
| can be grown year round almost anywhere. | | | | our forests could be endangered as well and I |
| K is for Kids. Because that's who I am thinking | | | | cannot imagine a world where my son won't be |
| about when I make 'green' choices. | | | | able to climb a tree. |
| L is for Life-cycle. This cradle to grave concept | | | | X is for Xenon. An inert gas used in some lamps |
| incorporates the entire design process of a | | | | to create a cooler colour temperature than |
| product and ensures the process from conception | | | | standard incandescent bulbs. Xenon actually offers |
| to production to replacement to disposal does not | | | | a longer life than halogen. |
| negatively impact the environment. | | | | Y is for You won't regret it. Making an |
| M is for Minimum. Minimizing your personal impact | | | | environmentally conscious choice feels so good! |
| on the environment is becoming easier and easier | | | | Z is for Zero Waste. Finding new uses for old |
| as new green products are introduced. Just | | | | items is fun, challenging and inspiring. Before you |
| Google eco-design and you will get over 990,000 | | | | throw a piece of furniture or an accessory away, |
| hits. Major manufactures are discovering new | | | | think about how it can be re-styled and re-used. |